Laminar’s system integrates directly with existing plant control infrastructure, utilizing advanced inline sensors to monitor fluid conditions in real time. Rather than relying on fixed-recipe cleaning cycles, the software analyzes chemical states as they occur, advancing the cycle the moment a line is verified clean. This approach addresses a critical bottleneck in the dressings and sauces industry, where frequent product changeovers on shared lines often lead to excessive water, energy, and chemical waste.

Annie Lu, CEO and co-founder of Laminar, noted that the nomination carries weight because it originates from the manufacturers themselves. By replacing manual oversight with autonomous, data-driven decisions, plants can reclaim valuable production time and meet increasingly stringent sustainability reporting requirements. Currently deployed across six continents, the technology has demonstrated average savings of 20% in chemical and water usage, with cycle times improving by 15%. The winner of the award will be announced at the ADS Annual Business Forum in Philadelphia, running from October 4-6, 2026.